GETTING HIS WINGS!!!!!

Betsey, Elyse and I traveled from Illinois (15 1/2 hours) on Thursday. We arrived at the Bolton mansion around 9:30 p.m.

We enjoyed a quick visit and then went to our motel. Friday morning started very early. We had to be at Erin's at 7:30 to go to the "Blessing of the wings."

The long awaited winging ceremony took place on Friday, June 25, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. First there was the "blessing of the wings" at 9:00 a.m. The priest told the history of the chapel - very interesting. He told that Thomas A'quinas (sp) was over 400 pounds - we laughed inside thinking, so are YOU!

Erin was so proud of Tobin, and rightly so. Much hard work went into this award. We are proud of you, Tobin.

Each person laid their wings on the altar, while the priest prayed over them and blessed them. Tobin read the Scripture.

The proud couple waiting for the blessing to start.

Proud parents waiting for the "blessings" to start.

Tobin reading the Scripture.

The wings placed on the altar.

Reading the "Aviator's Creed."

The actual blessing (sorry it is blurry).

Right after the "blessing" was finished.

Next to the plaque from previous people's wings.


On to the actual winging ceremony. A very high ranking officer gave a short speech - he was very funny.

Mr. & Mrs. Bolton and Erin went forward with Tobin to receive his wings. Erin pinned the wings on Tobin's uniform. Erin even got a box with a set of tiny wings in it for her.

Tobin & Erin with their certificates. Erin's certificate said something about the "neglected" wife. It was cute (and true, according to Erin).

Tobin, Erin, Jacque and Mike after Erin pinned on Tobin's wings.


The proud couple (can you see the baby "bump").

The 11 guys and 1 girl that received their wings.

The evening ended with a rousing game of Cranium. We laughed so hard. I ran out to get ice cream (because Mrs. Preggo wanted it). There was another reception at 9:00 p.m., but we opted to start heading home instead of going to that. We arrived at our motel around 12:30 a.m. on Friday. We will head to Ft. Wayne as soon as I wake up these girls. It has been a unforgettable trip.

FUN TIMES!!!!!

Anybody want a bite? Excuse the mess behind the berries.


Monday was supposed to rain buckets, God changed his mind. I woke the kids up at 6:30 and said, "Anybody want to pick strawberries?" They weren't too pleased to be woken up, but they got up anyway.

We drove 40 minutes to the strawberry patch in Wisconsin. It was a great day to pick. The weather was warm, but not too hot. We had a good breeze. I found out how old I am. The first time I stooped to pick a strawberry, my legs said, "NO WAY!" I ended up bending at the waist with my legs straight, until I couldn't take it anymore and then I crawled. My legs are still screaming this morning.

The kids were great at picking. No complaints. In fact, Zachary wants to go back. If I had room for the berries, I would take him up on it. He said I could sit in a chair and watch them pick. Great idea for next year!!!!!

The picture above is missing one basket of strawberries. Those were made up into 11 jars of jelly. Yum-yum!

Heading to Florida on Thursday with Betsey & Elyse. Road trip, here we come! Pictures to follow.

31 YEARS, PART 2!!!!!

Since the baseball game was canceled, we decided to go on our "hot" date early. We headed to Cuneo Museum. The website said it was open from 10-5. When we got there, the sign said they were open 11-3. Bummer! We started to turn around and the security guard stopped us. The gardens were open, but the mansion wasn't open until 11:30. Dad and I walked around the gorgeous gardens. As Dad said, "Just because you are rich, doesn't mean you have any taste." We saw beautiful flowers. The walking was very nice. There were lots of shade trees, otherwise, it would have been way too hot. Even if this was our "hot" date.

Isn't this something?

The front of the mansion/museum...

The backyard...

Even the bird houses looked like the mansion down to the paint job...

Wouldn't this make a nice aisle for a wedding?

There were fountains and statues all over the grounds (ugly to me)...

Not sure if this was a playhouse for the children, or something else (when the family bought this house, their children were 5 and 7).

What our storm did all over Vernon Hills...

After the museum, we went to the "Wildberry" for lunch. It was crowded, noisy and amazing. Dad had a three egg omelet and I had a Chicken Cranberry Wrap that I couldn't finish (if you can believe that). Dad finished his just fine. I will finish mine for dinner tonight.

It was a nice celebration of our 31 years. Enjoy the pictures. Oh BTW, since the library has passes, we got in FREE to the museum. Too bad they don't have passes for the restaurants.

31 YEARS!!!!!

Time DOES fly when you are having fun - especially adventures! The happy couple heading out on their "hot" date. Pictures to follow when we return this afternoon! (Girls, notice the blouse)

PUPPET SHOW!!!!!

Today the children from VCL put on a puppet show for senior citizens and four year olds. It is a day care that is intergenerational. There is a preschool day care and a senior citizens day care. Emma and Chatham played a piano solo, then on with the puppet show.

From left to right: Front row: Micah (holding Bobby), Emma (holding Henrietta), Jacquelin (holding Clara). Back row: Emma (holding Gma), Elyse (holding Patty), Chatham (holding Oliver) and Zachary (holding Mr. Crump).

Zachary and Elyse took part. Elyse was "Patty." Zachary was "Mr. Crump." They did a very good job. My part was to hold the curtain up to block the audience from seeing the puppeteers. The audience loved it very much. One man was directing the piano solos with his hands, he must love music.

After the program, we headed to Portillos for lunch. It is a very LOUD restaurant with tremendous food. It was a lot of fun!

ART PROJECTS!!!!!

Elyse went to "Picasso's Workshop" on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday. It was one hour each day at the Elk Grove Village Library (one hour away from home). She loved it! The class is taught by an art teacher with her daughter helping out.

Her first project was painting animals.

The second day she worked with clay. They made a bird's nest. The egg is a cardboard egg that Elyse painted.

On the second day, they made two projects with the clay. The second one was a mosaic. Elyse pushed sequins, beads and shells into clay, then covered it with sand (which most of it ended up on the floor in the car - fun times).

The last day was collages. Each butterfly was painted and added to the tissue paper.

There is a second class in the fall. Because Elyse already attended a class, she gets to go for half price. Depending on our schedule, she might go again. Enjoy her creativity.